THE "CAN-CAN."

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 27 March 1875, Page 4

THE "CAN-CAN."

A raid has recently taken place on a I^ew York theatre to suppress the dancing of the " cancan." The police of New York perform the functions of the Lord Chamberlin in London, and appear to do so in more summary fashion. The Metropolitan Theatre, JN Tew York, had been giving various entertainments, and among the attractions was the " cancan." On December 23rd the performance went on as usual until,, about ten o'clock, Captain Mercer sent a force of men to the Mercer street entrance, and then he took a force to the Broadway entrances of the theatre. In the middle of the "cancan " Captain M'Donnell sprang upon the stage, and to the consternation of everybody the *police* began to press in at all passages. The most Intense excitement prevailed; the spectators arose from their seats, and made a rush for the door, supposing that everybody was to be arrested. The women in their ballet costumes ran hither^ and thither and huddled together in the wings. The theatre was soon emptied, and at length the curtain dropped upon the scene. Captain M'Donnell's officers had secured all those upon the stage, and producing the warrants, those were selected who were named therein. The. women arrested were formed into a line, and guarded by officers, were marched to the Prince street Police station. When they found they were to be locked up, some laughed and cried by turns, others fainted, others Jshrieked for mercy and begged the police not to lock them up, but they weie soon placed in the cells. Samuel Shapter, the proprietor of the Metropolitan Theatre, was arrested early the next morning.